What would you say to a middle aged guy who hated PE in school and now wonders about joining a gym.

[Denninmi]

Later in the fall. Now, I am biking (mostly) up to 20 miles a day when schedule and weather allows

But in Michigan, that will come to a screeching halt roughly around Thanksgiving, give or take a few weeks due to weather (specifically snow and ice making it unsafe).

And, wondering if, and thinking should, I should do more than just biking, which is a cardio workout. Think I should learn to do strength training as well.

Gyms -- what can you tell me. I know they vary, but thinking something like an LA Fitness -- is that really about health, not a pickup joint? I would be embarrassed at first, but think I could cope. And I think maybe some initial professional help would be good from a trainer or exercise physiologist?

[roody]

1. You won't regret getting exercise.

Join one that gives you some sessions with a trainer.

[Jemmons]

2. Hi Denninmi

A few questions:
Born in the 60ties?
MBX or RR?
What are you goals?
In what ways are you concerned about health?
Insulin resistance?
Overweight?

[Denninmi]

3. Hi

Yes 1965.

Mountain bike but just riding pavement.

Need to lose 38 more pounds now to get to my prior thin healthy weight.

A1C was just done is normal albeit higher side of normal.

Would be great to lose weight develop strength and endurance and look good again in levis and tshirts.

Sorry reply brief hard to type on iPod. LOL

[auntAgonist]

4. Is there such a thing as trial membership or month to month.

I remember years ago having to sign up (contract) for an entire year at a time.

I'd want to try it now and see what I like or dislike about it.

Is there more than one gym in your area of MI?

aA
kesha

[LiveNudePolitics]

6. I work at a gym P/T

I would recommend a gym with Spinning classes since you like to bike so much. Weight training is always a good idea, just go easy at first, and don't be afraid to ask for advice from a professional. Go tour the facilities closest to you, because if you cannot get there easily, even in bad weather, that will be another obstacle to your goals. Ask about different plans, pricing, and non committal memberships when you tour. Decide how much you are willing to spend before you go. Find out how crowded the areas you want to use at the time of day you want to use them will be.

A gym membership is only helpful to you waist and wallet if you actually use it!

[Denninmi]

8. True.

I wondered about this LA Fitness place because it's close to home, offers a no commitment monthly membership I could afford, and is enormous and very complete, everything from A to Z.

[LiveNudePolitics]

9. You got nothing to lose,

except what you feel you need to lose! Have fun, is my main advice. I see people every day working hard toward their goals, and the ones who enjoy the exercise most, get more bang for their buck!

[Denninmi]

7. Hey, foghat rules!

You're right! I don't know for the life of me why a jury hid your post, other than perhaps the language -- maybe not OK in the weight loss forum, but a minute by minute thing in the DU Lounge where I post a lot. And no big deal, it's just life.

I think the next time I'm at the bike shop, I'll ask them if there are any special winter tires that would help with traction.

Yup, it could be fun. I know there are many days with relatively clear pavement even in Detroit area. So I might not be able to do it every day, but at least some days.

Also other options, I used to have cross country skis and did fairly well with that, might give that a whirl again! Or even snowshoes, those look like fun.

Thanks, sorry about the jury thing, I think they got it wrong!

[hello larry]

10. Hey, thanks! Not the first time they've got it wrong

and I suspect not the last!

In any case, it never ceases to amaze me how spoiled most people tend to be. It has to be the perfect temp for them to venture out and do something physical. In the Chicago area it gets very humid and hot in the summer so I know that if I take a bike ride in July, I am pretty much going to have a very nice and empty bike path. Same with overcast and slightly rainy days, or days under 60 degrees.

A gym is an artificial environment. It's a place you have to travel to get to. People will actually spend their weeks taking elevators to go a few floors in an office building and then go to a gym and use a MACHINE to climb steps! Does that seem logical or a holistic activity?

You could start walking to the grocery, even if it's several miles. The hauling of a couple of bags (and maybe one on your bag) gives you a decent workout. It's really nice to move one's body and feel purposeful beyond just...moving one's body.

[Denninmi]

13. I am now putting extra weight in my pack when I ride.

Started the other day, putting 5 16.9 ounce bottles of water in there, with the regular "stuff" getting it to around 15 lbs now, want to gradually work up. If marines and soldiers can wear 100 lb packs in the heat of afghanistan I ought to be able to do 25 or 30 lbs eventually while I bike around the suburbs of Detroit.

[post_rinse_repeat.]

14. Yay! And we still have lots of gorgeous fall days in our near future!

I just went on a long ride today!

[rox63]

11. I would recommend it

I joined a gym a couple of months ago, an inexpensive place with no contract needed. (Planet Fitness) The first month was tough, sticking with it. But after I got past that hump, I actually like going to the gym. I would recommend meeting with a trainer to help determine what sort of workout will help you reach your goals. You should probably do some strength training along with cardio, for a balanced workout.

[shanti]

12. i like my treadmill

particularly useful in the winter months, although the weather isn't terribly bad here in (northern) cali. i've gotten into a routine of 1/2 hour a day, which isn't a lot, really. most people who buy them get bored with them and sell them, but i purchased a tray that i can put my laptop on and read my boards while walking. that 1/2 hour goes by in no time at all...i do a lot of knitting (and sitting), so any exercise is good, imo.

[Denninmi]

15. Hey, I did it!

Joined Lifetime. I am very impressed with the facilities and they have a weight loss group.

[left-of-center2012]

16. Google that gym

I'd look for any complaints, etc on Google.
One good place you could start is Yelp.
Another is the Better Business Bureau.
Or you can just Google 'complaints name-of-business'.

[Denninmi]

17. I'm not too worried. It's a big chain, very upscale.

Plus no contract, you can cancel at any time.

Place is enormous and very, very nice. And open 24/7, which is good for me, I like to get up very early.

[K8-EEE]

18. As long as there is no long term contract, what's the harm?

Myself, I hate gyms, have bombed out of several. I belong to the Y just for the pool because I like to lap swim in the hot weather, and occasional Zumba class. Free weights I can do more comfortably at home, and hiking and hula hooping are my other favorite exercises that don't need a gym.

I hate machines....but some people love them! I say, if they let you try it out short term, it can't hurt to try.

[Denninmi]

19. Well, I like tech stuff.

So I am impressed with the way all of the machines can track your various stats, and then you can download it all to a flash drive.

So far, I'm having a blast.

[K8-EEE]

20. Isn't it funny

how nervous that kind of thing makes some people (like me -- it makes me feel like I'm expecting the "flatliner" sound effects from the hospital shows! But it is really cool for the technos!

[Denninmi]

21. I had my first meeting with the personal trainer this morning.

I really liked him, he seemed very professional, very friendly, non-judgmental, and really oriented to what I want to do. So I'm happy about that as well.